1. The Faculty Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Education:
Dr. Glen White, University of Kansas, Lawrence. His vast array of academic achievements are documented in his 36-page resume. He directs one of 4 national Research and Training projects in the area of independent living and disability research. He has worked world-wide as a World Institute on Disability International Fellow in Europe, and has had direct impact on policies and support for the disabled in Peru and Korea." To quote one of his former students, Professor Kyung Mee Kim, Soongsil University in Korea: “Dr. White is the Father of the Independent Living Movement in Korea”. He has been a force for the empowerment of people with disabilities. In addition to his teaching, research and travel agenda, he is involved with internationally focused campus and community activities.
2. The Edward S. Blankenship Outstanding Staff Award:
Dr. Joe Potts, University of Kansas, Lawrence. Joe Potts has worked tirelessly for the interests of the foreign students on campus: initiating a mandatory health insurance program to protect students in the event of medical emergencies; foreseeing the need for implementation of SEVIS in advance of federally mandated deadlines; assuring that international students be included in a needs based grants program. He originated the annual “World at KU” reception acknowledging the contributions of scholars from around the world on campus. He “epitomizes what it means to be dedicated to the profession of international education” to quote a colleague of his.
3. The Domestic Student Award for International Achievement:
Brian Berry, California State University, Sacramento. Brian is an Asian Studies scholar who has demonstrated a fierce determination to make study abroad a reality. In order to study in Japan, he has obtained four scholarships to fund his year of studies and later research. While at Waseda University, he took 34 units of A credit while reaching into the community to tutor, participating in a world peace awareness event on Mount Fuji and taking part in a performance. Upon his return to campus he has remained equally committed to service and “spreading knowledge about Asia in the United States” The University newspaper published an article about Brian using him as an inspirational example for other students who have the goal of studying abroad.The one word used universally to describe Brian is “Doer”, from his professor in Japan to his colleagues at CSU.
4. The David Merchant International Student Award for Achievement:
Jitendra Sunil Motwani, California State University, Fullerton. “Jitendra Motwani truly exemplifies the model internationalist: highly intelligent but humble, a leader who does not hesitate to do the hardest work himself, and a person whose sensitivity and kindness to all shines like a beacon of hope in this conflicted world” in the words of his colleague, Linda Anderson, this describes Jitu. This outstanding student has a 4.0 GPA in addition to numerous honors and awards for humanitarian and community service, and was instrumental in planning for a Forum on International Economics, and two panel discussions on Globalization Issues. He is also the co-president of the Beta chapter of Phi Beta Delta and Vice President of the Economics Association.
